Running is one of the best things you can do in order to keep your body healthy and in good shape, but there are a lot of people who never go running because they feel that it puts too much strain on their back, or on other parts of their body. While you should certainly stop running if you are truly experiencing pain, there are also a lot of people who are experiencing such pain because they are not engaging in healthy running; before you stop running altogether, take a look at these suggestions for engaging in healthy running, and see if there is anything you can do differently during your daily jog.

Running barefoot: It might seem like running barefoot is an odd thing to do, but the truth is – as hard as shoe companies try to make their shoe the best thing you can put on your body – running barefoot is the healthiest way for you to run; try running barefoot in an neighborhood you will feel safe running barefoot in, or try some “barefoot running shoes” such as the ones below.

Running erect: As you get tired, your body will have a tendency to start bending over a little bit, and while this provides temporary relief from the strain of running, it will not be good for you in the long run; instead, you should always keep your posture in mind as you run, making sure you are running erect.

Listen: You will usually think of music when you see the word “listen” tied alongside the idea of running – but even more than listening to music, you will want to listen to your body; even if you have an idea as to the pace at which you want to run, or the distance you want to cover, you will be wise to listen to your body, and to make sure you are not pushing it further than you should.

Doing these simple things can ensure that you are engaging in healthy running – and in the long run, this will make a big difference in how your body feels.

If you’re a beginning runner, you might not know that’s it’s incredibly important to invest in good running shoes. The following tips will help you choose running shoes that are right for you.

To begin with, you need to grasp the importance of good running shoes. Most novices are shocked by how expensive the shoes are, but when you realize how a good pair of shoes will prevent injury so you can continue running, you’ll recognize the value. The rule of thumb is to only use your running shoes for running (not everyday wear) and to replace them every six months or 350 miles of running. If you’re a heavy runner and are hard on shoes, you may need to replace them even more frequently. Your shoes will last longer if you run on a treadmill or a track instead of asphalt.

Just before going to buy shoes, try this test. Wet your feet and then step on to the dry asphalt, noting the footprint you leave. If you leave a big solid footprint, get shoes with extra arch support. If your foot leaves an arched footprint, you don’t need to worry so much about arch support.

Take a look at your regular shoes and note where they wear and if you ever feel stress on either side of your ankles. You want to look for signs of overpronation or underpronation. If your feet lean inwards, you’ve got issues with overpronation; if they lean outwards, you need help with underpronation. If you have joint issues, you’ll probably need ankle stabilizing running shoes that also provide a lot of cushion.

Another factor to consider is the size of the toebox. Your toes will swell as you run, especially in the warmer months, so make sure you have a lot of room around your toes while still having a snug fit around the ankles. It’s not unusual for people to buy runner shoes one full size larger than the shoes they wear every day.

Take good care of your feet, and you’ll be running injury-free!